SPECT in head injury

Citation

Wilson JTL & Mathew P (1997) SPECT in head injury. In: Duncan R R (ed.) SPECT Imaging of the Brain. Developments in Nuclear Medicine, 29. Dordrecht: Springer, pp. 69-93. http://www.springer.com/medicine/radiology/book/978-0-7923-4186-4

Abstract
It is estimated that, in Britain alone, around 1000 patients per year are discharged from hospital following severe head injury. These survivors are often seriously handicapped, are predominantly young and most will never work again. Nevertheless, their life expectancy is only slightly reduced from normal. In addition to these patients, many others with moderate or mild injuries also have significant morbidity. Exact numbers of patients in these groups are very difficult to estimate, but it is now well established their problems can persist for a considerable length of time. One of the key unresolved issues in head injury is fully characterizing brain damage in survivors.